PARADISE Quays developer Peter Burke says all approvals were attained for works on Alexander Drive and the project was responding to a shortage of aged care in Swan.

As reported in Mature trees destroyed on Alexander Drive residents were upset when they saw trees along Alexander Drive being removed.

Mr Burke said the trees were assessed by an arborist with reports sent into the city that showed the trees along Alexander Drive could not be retained.

“Those reports were sent into the City of Swan,” he said.

“I understand nobody wants to hear trees are going to get knocked down, but they’ve been assessed by an arborist and found that the tree’s canopy and root systems would undermine the development.

“From a safety aspect (they could) possibly prove unstable and (pose) a future hazard to residents, homes and vehicles.

“We are committed to replacing all trees removed and no tree removed was on either an endangered list or identified as breeding or habitat environment by arborists.”

Previous concept plans, prior to the latest arborist reports, did indicate the 20 trees along Alexander Drive were marked to be retained however Mr Burke said that plan was a starting point that was then superseded.

“The trees would not be able to be transplanted, and  while it would be ideal to keep every tree on the site, this is simply not possible, and any removal was on advice from arborists and botanists to ensure the trees were not threatened species or habitats to select fauna,” he said.

“Updated plans were made available to the city and residents as we looked at needing to remove further trees in order to be able to actually develop the site and make it safe.

“Ballajura currently has a shortage of more than 1000 beds in aged care.

“We’re going to be bringing in more than 120 beds with this development.”

A City of Swan spokesperson said the tree clearing works at the Paradise Quays site on Alexander Drive were compliant with the approved development conditions.

“The city did not issue a formal stop work order but requested a pause in city works to clarify tree removal,” they said.

“Approximately 15 trees were removed.

“A condition of subdivision approval required details outlining whether any trees with potential for habitat should be retained.”

The spokesperson said although they had “received a number of complaints”, the developers were compliant with the guidelines and operated within the approvals given by the city.

As reported in Swan District Hospital in ruins and in limbo more than 20 per cent of the city’s residents were over the age of 55.

The City of Swan Mayor Tanya Richardson said in the previous report that by 2036, the region would need 918 extra aged care beds and 1300 more retirement village units.

Mr Burke said he was aware that the City of Swan had a shortage of aged care residences and had worked hard to get to a plan that community groups such as the Lake Estates Action Group (LEAG) were happy with.

The LEAG had previously opposed a Ballajura aged care development proposal by Southern Cross due to the height, scale and density of the plan as reported in Public comment on Ballajura aged care closes soon.

In it, the City of Swan said the council initiated a scheme amendment to the current zoning prompted by community feedback.

The council then resolved to create the 80m Emu Swamp buffer area as a separate lot to ensure it was protected and retained through land management planning.

In the month following that report, the City of Swan voted for an earlier start date for a proposed aged care facility at Paradise Quays.

As reported in Councillors vote for earlier start on aged care stage the LEAG said they were in favour of being in a working group with Wattle Fairway.

In February this year, LEAG voiced their support of the proposed development of Paradise Quays and said they expected to be kept updated on tree retention.

They also said they expected the developers Wattle Fairway to honour their commitment to construct all 77 homes as single storey, to do dilapidation surveys on all homes within 50m of the site and to rectify any damages, and to minimise noise, dust and area disturbance during construction.

Mr Burke said each removed mature tree would be replaced on a one for one basis to ensure tree growth in the future.